Last week i read a post by Austin Kleon about keeping a log book (found via this post, which i also recommend). Austin writes:
The best writing project I took on last year was what I call my logbook: a simple Moleskine daily planner in which I kept track of the little details of my day. Who, what, where types of details. Who I met, what I did, where I went, etc.
It’s not a diary or a journal. It’s a book of lists. The lists are simple facts.
The idea really excited me. i wrote about it on Facebook:
one of the ideas from that previous link. i’m gonna do this! i suck at journaling. but like to make lists (ocd) anyway. also, i can see this being very helpful (not only for artists) to track so many things. wondering how many prayers you miss on an average week? when the last time you exercised really was? yes, i can see lots of accountability to self in something like this. also reference points & inspirations…
Then i began one.
Sketchbook turned into a Logbook
i decided to use a small (5.5 x 5.5 inch) sketchbook i had handy. i have written faithfully in it daily beginning 4/13/11. i can’t honestly say i’ve really gotten the hang of it yet, as i sorta have a hard time knowing what i should be listing (not surprising since that’s one of the reasons i’ve always hated trying to journal), but i think i’m getting better.
pages from logbook (4/18 & 4/19)
Today while out shopping with my mom i found a multi-pack of lovely “mini-journals”.
small pretty journals for future logbooks
They are about 5.5 x 4 inches with heavyweight covers, elastic closures, and lined pages. Such pretty (and easy to carry around) books make it even more enticing to try to continue this project.
i am looking forward to tracking who i meet, what i do, what i read, what i write, what i create, project ideas, and overall what i am really doing with my time. i suspect i may learn some things about myself and that it will not only help me to reprioritize but also to remember all my ideas that i tend to lose track of.
